On February 2, 1797, after the victory of Rivoli, Wilmser of Mantua surrendered with 30,000 men suffering from famine and plague. The brave Wilmze was allowed to leave with some of his officers and his dignity. As for Alvenzi, he went to the Papal Territory to seek protection after two rounds of fighting. Thus, the exhausted Napoleon led a small number of troops straight to Rome to force Pope Pius VI to surrender. On February 19th, the peace treaty of Tolentino was signed. The pope agreed to stop supporting the Austrian army and paid another 30 million Francs for the war. Most of this compensation was sent to Paris after being deducted by Napoleon and his accomplices. In the past few months, Napoleon had created a real miracle, defeating three Austrian generals in a single breath under the conditions of outnumbered enemies, lack of artillery, and no logistical support.
Seeing the bloody disaster in Italy, Vienna still refused to admit defeat. On the contrary, they actively prepared for another battle. However, the victorious French army lacked manpower and equipment to march into the Hapsburgs. The Directorate-General, who had been able to line his pockets from the steady flow of gold and success in this war, finally realized that the miracle was created by the determined Napoleon and agreed to send 30,000 new troops to increase the strength of the Italian army to 80,000.
However, before all the fresh troops arrived, with only 40,000 men, Napoleon left 20,000 men to deal with the scattered troops of the Grand Duke Charles in Tirol, while the rest were led by Napoleon and Joubert to march on Vienna.
This was the first time, but not the last, that Napoleon had fought against Archduke Charles, the younger brother of Francis II. The archduke was an elegant gentleman, a genius soldier and strategist. But he was indecisive at the critical moment, and like all Austrian officers, he was tormented by the low morale of the newly recruited troops. At the same time, he lacked a group of bold and resolute commanders that were particularly needed at such times.
In the last week of February, four of Napoleon's legions crossed the Brenta River, and in March, they defeated an Austrian army at Primorano. The Austrian army retreated to the snow-covered I-Ao passage in the northeast.
The ill-equipped French army was hindered by the cold storm, and Napoleon and his 43,000 soldiers took the most direct route to Vienna. They encountered the vanguard of the Grand Duke's garrison, but Napoleon crossed the Tariamanto River with artillery cover, and the Austrian army retreated westward to Udine.
Napoleon relentlessly pursued the fleeing enemy, while Masséna advanced north to the Alps at Talves, the most dangerous pass into Austria. The defending Austrian army resisted tenaciously, but the price was heavy. Napoleon captured 5,000 Austrian soldiers, 400 military supplies, 32 cannons, a large amount of ammunition, and the luggage of the entire four-wheeled carriage. The new general, Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, continued to pursue the Austrian army to Leybach. General Digeis 'cavalry later captured the important ammunition depots and Trieste Harbor. Joubert captured Tyrol near Bozen, and Napoleon ordered him to guard the main road to Brixen to prevent reinforcements from the Austrian army. The fragmented Austrian army was defeated by the French army. On March 29, 1797, Napoleon led three divisions to Kragenford. However, because his troops were too scattered, Napoleon had to admit that it was too early to march into Vienna. However, his impulsive nature prevailed over his rationality. As his target was nearly 200 miles away, Napoleon decided to order Joubert from Brixson and Victor from Romana to join him in Clargenford and strengthen the forces there. Even so, Napoleon still lacked the troops to conquer Vienna.
In order to buy time, on March 31st, Napoleon sent a letter to Archduke Charles, proposing a truce. On April 7th, they took Leoben, and the vanguard arrived only 75 miles away from Shaun Bruen Palace. At this time, Napoleon paid the price for his rash decision to transfer most of his elites from the rear to the front. Rebellions broke out in Venice, Tyrol, and Verona. In desperation, Napoleon requested an extension of the truce for five days. With only 50,000 men, you certainly cannot expect me to hold the rear of Italy and defeat the King of Austria! The furious Napoleon wrote to the Governor.
On April 16, the French army formally proposed terms to the Austrian army. After receiving instructions from Shaun's Bruen Palace, Archduke Charlie reluctantly agreed to hold peace talks in Leoben on the 18th. Napoleon won the gamble again.
The Austrian people had indeed agreed to pay a high price. All of France had taken over the territories of Austria, the Netherlands, the west bank of the Rhine River, and the Ionian Islands. Austria officially recognized the Inner Alps Republic (including Milan, Bologna, and Modena). Napoleon withdrew from Istria, Dalmatia, and Friuli, and ceded the Republic of Venice to Austria.
Thus, the prolonged and disastrous Italian campaign came to an end. All that was left was for the peace treaty to be formally signed in Campo Formio in the autumn. Napoleon left behind a large area of scorched earth. Countless civilians were killed, thousands of refugees were displaced, and the friendly city was looted and occupied. Milan, Turin, Genaya, Pavia, Bologna, Mantua, and even Rome were forced to pay for the war, and they watched as countless spoils of war flowed into the pockets of Paris and the conquerors. Almost all of Napoleon's henchmen became rich overnight.
Napoleon, who was nicknamed the small captain by the soldiers, had gained more in the war--a warlord who shocked the world and a hero of France. Apart from the five-member ruling group, he was considered the most powerful figure in France. He led a ragged, often barefooted, beggar-like army over mountains and cold swamps, defeating the well-equipped but unmotivated, untrained, and poorly commanded Austrian regular army. In addition, without the consent of Paris, Napoleon decided on his own to affect the peace terms of several European countries. He was also a difficult negotiating master. The general who commanded the artillery in front of the Tuileries on the 13th of September was no longer the same as before.
I need rest, Napoleon informed an anxious governor, and I can tell you with certainty that my only wish at this moment is to return to my private life. At the same time, the triumphant hero warned Joseph," Be careful, I don't know which clear night I'll break in and come to your bedroom!
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